Urgent Public Health Alert After Parasitic Exposure Linked To Events

MOUNT KISCO, NY — Public health officials are urging anyone who attended either of two events, to contact their physicians about potential exposure to toxoplasmosis, an illness caused by a parasite.

The Westchester County Department of Health has issued a toxoplasmosis exposure warning for two game dinners held at the American Legion in Mount Kisco on Jan. 19, and Jan. 20.

The health department is currently investigating two cases of toxoplasmosis. Those sick and those exposed attended the two game dinners held at the Moses Taylor Jr. American Legion Post in Mount Kisco.

The health department recommends that all individuals who ate food at, or ate leftovers from these game dinners contact their doctor about potential exposure to toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is an illness that can cause birth defects or miscarriages in pregnant women, can be deadly for those with a weakened immune system, or result in prolonged visual deficits in those with eye symptoms, according to the health officials. A healthy person’s immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness, and most people do not require treatment. Some people with the parasite develop a flu-like illness that lasts a few weeks with symptoms that can include muscle aches, headache, fever with chills and sweats, tiredness, sore throat or swollen lymph nodes. Long-term effects, such as vision problems, are also possible, the WCDH said.

The health department is also asking that anyone who is pregnant, immunosuppressed, experiencing visual changes or eye symptoms, or any other symptoms call the Westchester County Department of Health at 914-813-5180 during business hours and 914-813-5000 after hours.